AT THE end of series two, Ross cheated on Demelza with former fiancée Elizabeth. Can he save his marriage?

Since taking on the role of brooding Cornish hero Poldark in the BBC’s hit period drama, actor Aidan Turner has become a bona fide sex symbol – thanks, in no small part, to that topless scything scene.

But as the third series hits our screens tomorrow night, the Irish actor has some disappointing news for his legions of loyal fans – he’s unlikely to be flashing the flesh again anytime soon.

“There may be nudity… but it might not be from me this time,” says Aidan, with a cryptic grin.

Saturday magazine is on set in Bristol, where the actor is filming some of the show’s interior scenes.

The rest of the 18th-century drama, set in a Cornish mining community, is predominantly shot on location along Cornwall’s rugged coastline. We’ve snatched the leading man away for 10 minutes, between takes, to talk about the new nine-parter, and he reveals that – nudity aside – there are plenty of meaty storylines for his character this series.

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“There’s a lot in store for Ross Poldark. And he’s grown up a bit and is not getting into the same tussles as he was; he’s not having the same scraps in pubs,” laughs Aidan, 33, who has also starred in Being Human and The Hobbit films.

“He’s got a family and a wife that he nearly lost, and he is conscious of not making the same mistakes again. He’s being more mature and his decisions are more measured… well, sometimes anyway!”

Notoriously headstrong Ross made a reckless mistake at the end of series two when he cheated on his wife Demelza (played by Eleanor Tomlinson) with his former fiancée Elizabeth Warleggan (Heida Reed). His marriage was left in tatters when Demelza found out and the situation escalated when Elizabeth discovered that she was expecting a child.

Her pregnancy will be the focus of the new series, with the heavy implication that the baby is not her evil husband George Warleggan’s (Jack Farthing), but Ross’s love child.

First Look: Cast of 'Poldark' film dramatic scenes in Cornwall

Wed, October 5, 2016

18th-century drama 'Poldark' continues as the cast are pictured filming very dramatic scenes on Cornwall beach.

Cast of 'Poldark' return to shoot scenes in Cornwall, UK for the hit TV drama.

“We pick up several months down the road,” explains Aidan. “Ross and Demelza have already had the discussions and the arguments and the plates have been thrown. They’re now in a place where they’re obviously aware of the huge possibility that Ross could be the father of Elizabeth’s baby. It’s certainly very tentative and a very delicate situation.”

Meanwhile, Ross is desperately trying to make amends to Demelza and repair their broken marriage, says Aidan. “Ross understands where he is at and how volatile his relationship with Demelza has been and how he could lose her,” he reflects. “Demelza was ready to walk out on him, and that’s not something he had considered before.”

Ross appears to be taking his professional life just as seriously, with a career move on the cards for him this series. Aidan reveals that the mine owner will set his sights on becoming a politician and adds that his ongoing war with arch nemesis George Warleggan will take a backseat, as he focuses on his future.

“There is only so much he can achieve [with the mines] by fighting. He sees that he needs to get into Parliament to make a real change.”

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George Warleggan (Jack Farthing) and Elizabeth (Heida Reed) welcome a new arrival

Poldark’s return to our screens will be a surprise to many fans, who had expected the show to air in its familiar autumn slot. The move to a summer transmission has been done to avoid a repeat of last year’s clash with ITV’s Victoria.

The two period dramas went head-to-head in 2016 (both occupied the 9pm Sunday night slot across September and October), and Victoria emerged as the ratings winner.

In spite of this, Poldark – a reboot of the successful 1970s series – has drawn massive audiences since it began in 2015, with more than five million tuning in to watch series two.

The show isn’t about to rest on its laurels, though, and a host of new cast members will join the ranks this series to inject fresh blood. Josh Whitehouse plays dashing aristocrat Hugh Armitage, whose arrival will have significant consequences for Ross and his clan.

Other new cast members include Harry Richardson and Tom York as Demelza’s brothers Drake and Sam, Ellise Chappell will play Elizabeth’s cousin Morwenna and Shameless star Sean Gilder will play a “reckless womaniser”, Tholly Tregirls.

Among the returning cast, we can expect to see Dr Dwight Enys (Luke Norris) with his sweetheart Caroline Penvenen (Gabriella Wilde).

Aidan, who has already signed up to star in the fourth series of Poldark, is flattered that viewers have taken the show to their hearts and offers his thoughts on why the series has proved so popular. “Ross doesn’t play by the rules. He is flawed. He’s not a perfect person and doesn’t try to be. But he is courageous, ballsy and always on the front foot.

“There are a lot of hard-hitting crime dramas around, and this seems like an antidote to those. Poldark is a hero, and people like a hero.” And a shirtless scything scene, of course.